Fuse



oct. 13,1925. 1,556,827

C. W. WYMAN FUSE Filed May 16, 1919 g- 1- zz 45 Z Patented Oct. 13, 1925.

UNITED '1"..51TlilSY P ATENT O FFICE CHARLES W. WYMAgN, aF QIAREMONI NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY CUMYANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

FUSE.'

Application and may 1e, 1919. serial No. 297,531.

To all-whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES W. WYMAN,

a Ycitizen ,of Ithe United States, residing at Claremont, .in the county of Sullivan and I State .of New Hampshire, have invented certain l.new and useful Improvements in Fuses, of whichthe following is a. full, clear,

and exact specification.

This' invention relates to fuses and .more especially to a fuseand fuse container for use with heavy currents and on machines liable to receive roughusage.

One object of the ypresent invention is to provide an improved fuse container. Anotherobject of the present inventionisto provide an improved construction whereby the contacts in a fusebox Icannot accidentally be closed. Still another object of the present invention is 'to provide an improved construction whereby any wear between the contacts is automatically adjusted and wl'ierebythe contact within the fuse box is automatically made upon closure of the fuse bOX. These yand other objects and advantages ofthe `present invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.`

In the accompanying'drawings, I have 'shown for purposes of illustration one em bodimentwhich my invention may assume inV practice.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 lis a plan view of my improved construction, parts thereof being broken away tofacilitate illustration.

F ig. 2"is ak-side elevation thereof, a part being shownin section on the line indicated by 2-2 Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view substantially on the line 3 3 Fig. 1, the open position of the cover being indicated in dotted lines.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown a fusebox of which the lower and larger part 1 serves as acontainer for a fuse when'the box is closed, the boxbeing Aadapted to be attached to a support by forwardly projecting arms 2`wfhich carry the fuse box in spaced relation to the support. YVhen 1n use, the container -1 is preferably closed by a cover 3`herein shown as hingedly connected to the-lower part of the box as by bolts l passing through lugs V5 and 6 on the cover and box respectively. When the cover is inelosed 'position oni-the box, anv overhanging flange 7 on the cover Yprevents water or d1rt f ro.m working into the box through the joint-between the flatter and the cover.- lVhille any form of :latch maybe used for retaining the cover in closed position, I vpreferably usefor this purpose aflongitudinally movable lockingboltS carried by one of the lugs 2 and aseparate lugv9 mounted Aon the lower' part of the box, the bolt l`being pressed into locking position by `a spring 1() which abuts against one end ofthe bolthead and one side of the lug 2 and 'preferably surrounds a controlling pin 11 having its outer end 11 bent upwardly to facilitate the operation of the controlling rod to retract the bolt from an apertured =lug 12'for1ned `on the cover and permitting the cover Ato be opened. However, when the cover is moved toward closing position, thel bolthead S will prevent the closure of the box `until the bolt is retracted by manipulation .of vthe la'tch or handle 11. As shown, this locking mechanism is preferably placed adjacent the 'support to which the fuse box is vattached in order that the latch `may not accidentally be caught by a Vpassing lobject in ksuch a manner as to loosen the cover and thereby permit an `accidental opening thereof.

Carried within lthe fuse box and Ypreferably in @spaced relation lto the walls thereof are a series of insulating plates v13 and y14.1, preferably mounted on lugs `15 herein vShown as formed integral with the box itself. A relatively heavy insulating block' 16 'is also preferably carried within the container and preferably on :the insulating lplate 14 to support a plurality of fixed `contacts 17 herein shown as rigidly connected `to the insulating block 16 as by means of bolts or screws 1S. rl"he unit `comprising the block 16 and the contacts carried thereby as well as the thinner insulating block 14 are preferably detachably secured lto the 'lower Ipart of the box as by means of screws v19, the latter being protected from injury when lthe box is setdown upon-a Vpartiof a machine, by a lug 20 carried von 'the bottomrof the container 1. Electrical contant is'preferably made with the contacts `17' bymeans ofcables 21 which pass through insulatingrings 22 preferably carried by the box, and connect with upstanding varms 23 IhereinV shown as formed integral with the contacts '-17., 'the ends `of the cables beingetaohablysecured to these arms as by plates 24 and bolts 25. By this improved construction, the base of the fuse box may be rigidly secured to a machine such as a mining machine, the cover may be placed in closing position and held in that position bya locking means which will not accidentally be unlocked, and the electrical cables are attached to a fixed part of the fuse box, thereby reventin the wearing of the cables as is t 'e case'w en the cables are moved with a movable part of a fuse box during the chan lng of a fuse.

The cover" 3 is a so insulated b a plurality of insulating blocks 26 an 27, the first of which is attached to the. cover in spaced relation thereto against suitable lu 28 by screws 29. This insulati block 26 1s preferably grooved longitudina as shown at 30 to receive. a ring 31 ich is detachably secured to t is insulatin block as by a screw 32 which also holds t e insulating block 27 to the block 26. The flexible ends of the springs 31 normally act a ainst insulating blocks 33 disposed prefera ly at opposite ends of the fuse box and prefera ly carried by movable contacts 34 which are adapted to 'make contact with the fixed contacts' 17 when the box is closed. These movable contacts 34 are preferably carried on a cylindrical insulatin tube 35 which may be passed throught e contacts and through an aperture 36 formed in the insulating block 27, the contacts 34 being held in their rdper position' on thetube 35 by the fusib e element 37 which passes longitudinally through'the tube 35 and is detachably secured to the movable contacts as by screws 38. Asis clearly shown in Fig. 2, the aperture 36 in the insulating member 27 is relatively f lar e, permitting a transverse movement 'of t e insulating tube 35 and the parts carried thereby relative to the cover under the infiuence ofthe spring 31 during the opening and closing ofthe cover.

By'this improvedconstruction it will be noted'that a lost motionconnection is provided between the fuse carrying member 35 and the cover, and that a resilient means is also rovided for normally pressing l:the mova le and fixed contacts together when the box is closed and thereby automatically compensating for any wear on the contacts. By comparing Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that when the cover is moved toward closin position and the lug 12 strikes the bolthea 8, the movable contacts do not touch the fixed contacts, but when vthe latch is retracted to permit a complete closing of the box, the contact is made within the box before the cover is completely closed. By the improved construction used, it will also be noted that the fuse element 37 holds the -fuse retainer 35 lation to the cooperatin arts, this tube 35, when the cover 1s close being automatically aligned with a blow hole 89 f formed preferably in one end of the container through which al1 Afused parts of the fusiblelnglyber 37 will be blown whsnthe fuse gives way I under a high current, thereby preventing arcing by the assa of a current from one contact to anot er t rou h small globules of fuse material which wou d otherwise ather u in the bottom of the fuse carrying ytue 35, It is thus seen that QI have providedfa strong:5 ruggedly'constructed fuse boxwhch may bo ted to the side of a machneauclt as a mining machine which 'receives il rough treatment while in use. It will fur* *i therbe seen that I have provided a in which the fusible element may be easil renewed and in which the parte may be rea ily assembled in their correct position yby 8l an unskilled operator. It should lso be? noted that another feature of the presentl invention is the provision of'a rneanirifotT normally preventing closure ofthe contacts. when the cover is swun l toward closing Q0 sition, thereby making t e' device fool-prodi.l *I In the event that the current were not tu ofi' from the motor during thereplacenienti of a fuse and a short circuit existed,it will be obvious that were the box to bei arranged a so as to clo'se automatically Iand yia'thoilbm check upon movement toward clqsi tion, that, tby reason of the' fact thatle'cwm Y cuit would close before the"bor'w a,8'ieem" pletely closed, the sudden e sion of air within the box, due to1 'b owin ofj'thei new fuse, would cause the box to ow di; rectly open again, possibly injuringzthen'p-v erator. If, however. as in the resent the operator naturally' places his left yl1 i il upon the box while drawing out the latchl with his right hand, there will obviously l be sufficient pressure 'normally on the 'top of the box to prevent its blowing o n evem though the fuse mayV b'e blown instantly.` 1,19 upon thebox reaching closed position. f f`l=` While I have in this application specifioaln' l ly described one embodlrnent which myim vention may assume in practice, it is to'be understood that this form is used. for'ilalut 115 trative purposes 'only and that'theinvention; wmay be modified and embodied in variousL other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims..

What I claim as new and desire to Secure'm by Letters Patent is: 1. In a fuse box, a fuse and conta' therefor, a cover1 therefor, and cltmmon means automatica y Operative in a tions of the box to preventclosure om l container by the cover when the latter is moved toward closedV position and to pres' vent said fuse from being o rative until Said container is substantially c osed. 1

2. In a fuse box, a fuse container, activen 13 therefor, and means including a member operati've when the cover'is in full closed position to maintain the box closed' afutmnatically operati-ve in all' positions ofthe box to interrupt closing movement or the cover when the latterl is moved towards closed position.

3. I'n ai fuse box, a fuse container, a cover therefor, and' means including a member operative when the cover is in full closed position to interlock with the latter to maintain said cover closed, automatic-ally maintained in allE positions of the box in a position to interrupt closing movement of said cover until deliberately moved to an inoperative' position. v

4. In a fuse box, afuse container, a` cover therefor, and means including a member operative when the cover is in full closed positierrto interlock with the latter to maintain said cover closed, automatically maintained in all positions of the box in a position to interrupt closing movement of said cover until deliberately moved to an inoperative position and automatically moving, on cessation of the. force employed to move the same to inoperative position, to a position to lock said cover.

5. lln` a fusebox, a fuse container, ai cover therefor, and means operative in any position of the fuse box for normally preventing closure of said container by said cover when said cover is moved toward closing position, said means also preventing opening thereof when closed.

6. In a. fuse box, a fuse enclosing insulating member, supporting means therefor, and a fusible member extending through said member and' holding the same in position in said supporting means.

7. In a fuse box, a fuse enclosing member, a support therefor movable relatively thereto, a portion of said member being surrounded by said support, and a` lost motion connection between said' enclosing member and said support operative upon movementof said support.

8. In a fuse box, a fuse enclosing member, a movable support therefor adapted to be substantially adjacent said member, and a lost motion connection between said member and said su port, said connection being adapted to al'oav said member to be guided into operative position upon movement of said support.

l91 In ya fuse box, a fuse enclosing member movable in a. plurality of directions, a supportv movable relative tosaid member, a lost motion connection between said member and said support including means adapted to limit the amount of movement of said enclosing member by controlling the lost motion connection, said lost motion connection being operable upon movement of saidV su pport, and means for holding said fuse holder in a predetermined position relative to said support.

10. In a fuse box, a: fuse enclosing member movable in a plurality of directions, a movable support therct'or, a. lost motion connection between said member and said support including means adapted to limit the amount ot' movement of said enclosing member by controlling the lost motion connection, said Ylost member connection being operable upon movement ot said support and resilient means for holding said fuse holder in a` predetermined position relative to said support.

l1. A fuse box, comprising a` plurality of relatively movable members, a contact carried by one of said members, acoope` ating contact carried by another of said members, an insulating member enclosing a tuse movable ivith one ot said contacts, said contacts being detach-ably connected to said insulating member, and a lost motion connection between one of said contacts and its supporting member.

1Q. A 'fuse box comprising a plurality oi' relatively movable members, a Contact carried by one of said members, a cooperating contactl carried by another of said members, an insulating member enclosing a fuse. movable with and carried by one ot said members, one of said contacts being movable with and relatively to said insulating-member, a lost motion connection bet-Ween said last named contact and movable member, and means Jor holding said last named elements in predetermined relative positions.

13. In a fuse box, a supporting means, an insulating member carried thereby, a` member movable relatively thereto and operatively connected thereto by ay lost motion connect-ion, and a replaceable fusible member carried in said last named member.

14. In a :fuse box, a supporting means, an insulating member carried thereby` a member movable relatively thereto and operatively conncctcd thereto by a lost motion connection, a reiiilaceablc tusible member carried in said last named member, and means for retaining said movable member ou said suppoiting means.

l5. In a 'fuse box, a movable support-ing means. a member substantially rigidly carried thereby, a member movable in a plurality ot directions relatively thereto and carried thereby. a 'fusible member carried in said last. named member.` and means `for rotaining said movable member in a predetermined position relative to said supporting means upon movement et tlie same.

16. In a fuse box. a supporting means, a member carried thereby, an open end member movable relatively thereto and carried thereby, a` fusible member carried in said last named member, and' means tor retaining lill) loo said movable member in a predetermined position relative to said supporting means.

17. In a fuse box, a supporting means, a member carried thereby, a member movable relatively thereto and carried thereby, a fusible member carried in said last named member, and a contact detachably carried by said movable member.

18. In a fuse box, an insulating member a plurality of contacts through which sai insulating member extends, 'and a fuse element adapted to hold said contacts on said member.

19. In a fuse box, an insulating member, a plurality of contacts through which 'said insulating member extends, and .a fuse element passing through said member and attached to said contacts and adapted to hold said contacts on said member.

20. In a fuse box, an insulating member, a plurality of contacts through which said insulating member extends, a fuse elementpassin through said member and attached. to sai contacts and adapted to hold said contacts on said member, and a member adaptedto hold said insulating member and havlng provisionfor permitting a relative movement of said members.

21. In a fuse box, an insulating member, a plurality of contacts thereon, a fuse element passing through said member and attached to said contacts 'and adapted to hold said contacts on said member, a member adapted to hold said insulating member and havlng provision for permitting a relative movement of said members, and means for holding said members in predetermined relative positions.

22. In a fuse box, an insulating member, a plurality of contacts thereon, a fuse element passin through said member and attached to said contacts and adapted to hold said contacts on said member, a member adapted to hold said insulating member and having provision for permitting a relative movement of said members, and means comprising -a spring and cooperating insulating members carried by said contacts for holding said members in predetermined relative positions.

23. In a fuse box, a container, a member movable relatively thereto, fixed contacts carried by one of said elements, a movable contact carried by the other of said members, and means automatically operative irrespective of the posit-ion of the box for preventing movement of said member to final position to permit closing of the circuit through the fuse box.

24. In a fuse box, a container, a member movable relatively thereto, fixed contacts carried by one of said elements. movable contacts carried by the other of said e1e ments, and means comprising -a latch automatically operative irrespective of the position of the box for'preventing movementlof said member to nal position; :to .l closx ofthe circuit.thru-agli` the :fuso bei. L 25. a fusebox, an'container, a member movablemelatively thereto, fixed carried by-one of elements, movable 3 contacts carried by the other of saidfolgments, and means comp 1' a latch,` antomatically o rative iirrespectivaof tion of the x for reventing movementfof said member to fina position: to permit alggiftg ing of the circuit through the fuse latch boing movable topermit closaregof, Said oontin6r-- i 13% solisti i 26. In a fuseboxfranmtoiml@ -oom-j1 .i movable relatively thereto, tixedlmn y .iq `Dpe ,l .7. Il .-z :I n contacts earned by heather-ef ments, and means comp a latchnm-f," matically o rative irrespectrve'of the tion of the x for reventingmovement, gf said member to fina position topermiti glopff' ing of the circuit through the fuse box,A smi latch being movable to permitclos ofi `lll'Qg said container and to retain mid cover.'A box, al'iixed containcrai-l* clos position.

27. a fuse y hinged cover movable relatively',thereto,,gl` set of fixed contacts carried said com' tainer,a set of movable contactscarrieddpy said cover, a fuseolementbetween n l, of contacts, means for guidingsad mo v il contacts and forrforcing said contacts'm-ies. from the cover when theilatter is-.in open position, and means for preventing do?? f of saidl container by said cover and for h 1 E ing the contacts separated, said means l adjustable to permit saidcover tor closeithe. container, the sets of contacts boing brought-` together previous to the closure ofA the can@ l tainer. e 1

28. In a fuse box, a container, a co therefor, a blow hole in said container, a

a fuse clinging member carried' said cover and a apted to align with blow o hole when the container is closed by cover.

29. In a` fuse box, a container.. adapted to be attached to a support, a cover fot; said container, and means/disposed for op? l. eration only on the side thereof to be tened to the support for holding said in closed'position on said coutainen 35.1, iv 30.111 a fuse box, a confaneradap A to be attached to a support, a cover for aarA 4W container, and means carried bythe fuso box and disposed for operation on the thereof t'o be fastened to the :nippel-'trici'` holding said cover in closed position onsaid container. y 11.

31. In a fuse box, a container adapted to be attached to a support in spaced rm tion thereto, a cover for said container, A means carried by the fuse boxgand| u. .i for operation on the side ther'eof o be o fastened tothe support-for .holding-said cover iniclosed posit-ion on said container.

32. In a fuse box,a container, a cover movable relatively thereto, afusible element carried vby one 1 of said' first named elements, ablow,ho1e carried by the other of `said ke1einents,; and means whereby said fusible element is alignedl Awith .Said .blow holewhen thecoven is in closed position.

33. In a `fuse box,r,a container, a cover movable relatively thereto, a. fuse carrying member having a hole therein, a blow hole in one of said first named elements,y and ineens. wherebysaidvholei in the member is yaligned withthe blow hole-.when the cover is in closed ,position 34. In aimee `box comprising amain receptacle and a cover, a hinged connection between; Said cover and, main receptacle, contacts. connected with the line `and ar- -ra` ed in Isaid `Vmain receptacle, contacts vhaving a lost motion.connectionwit-hiy `the cover, insulating means vbetween the contacts and the cover, asingle spring cooperating with both contactsy to provide them with.,a resilient mounting, and a fuse vextending between. said contacts.

, A fuse box comprising a main receptacle, a hinged connectionbetween thecover yand main receptacle, contactsconnecteduto the line and carried in Ythe main receptacle, contacts iiexibly mounted onbiit insulated from the coverVan insulating fuseholder extending between said contacts, and a fuse v,in Asaid :holder operative, Yto .maintain` `said holder in fixed relation to said contacts.

36. In ai fuse box,;an.se container, a cover therefor, contacts carried by said container, contacts carried by said cover, one of said sets of contacts being yieldingly mounted on its supporting member and adapted to move relatively thereto when engaged by the other set of contacts during closing movement of the cover, means for limiting the movement of said yieldingly mounted set of contacts away from its supportin member, and means automatically operative to interrupt closing movement of said cover before said sets of contacts engage.

37. In a fuse box, a fuse container, a cover therefor, contacts carried by said container, contacts carried by said dover, a fuse connecting certain of said contacts, one of said sets of contacts being yieldingly mounted on its supporting members and adapted to move relatively thereto on engagement with the other set of contacts during closing movement of the cover, means for limit-ing the movement of said yieldingly mounted set of contacts away from its supporting member, and means automatically operative to interrupt closing movement of said cover before said sets of contacts engage.

38.111. a fusebox, a vfuse container, a cover therefor, contacts carried bysaid container, contactscarried by said cover, one

of Lsaid vsets of contacts being v, yieldingly mounted `on its v.supporting member and adapted to move relatiifely thereto yon engagement. with the 1other set of contacts during closing movement ofthe cover, means for limiting the movement of-said .yieldingly 4mounted lset. of contacts away from its supporting lmember, yand means automatically operative to interrupt closing movement of said cover before said sets ot' contactsvengage, said last-mentioned means 4being movable to permit coinpletioniof closing Imoven'ient of said cover and when the latter yis in closed position cooperating therewith to lock the sameclosed.

`39.111 a fuse box, `a fusek container, a cover therefor, contacts carried bysaid container, contacts carried by .said cover, a

ingly mounted set of contacts away. from its supporting member, and means automatically operative to interrupt closing movement of said cover before saidV sets of contacts engage,said Vlast Amentioned means .being movable to permit y,completion of closing movement of said coverpand when `thedatter is yin closed Iposit-ion`V cooperating thereiivith to lock` ,the same, closed.

40. In a fuse box, a fuse container, a cover therefor, cont-acts carried by said container, contacts cairied by said cover, a fuse connecting certain of said contacts, one of said sets of cont-acts being yieldingly mounted on its supporting Ymember and adapted to move relatively thereto on engagement with the other set of contact-s during closing movement of the cover, means for limiting the movement of said yieldingly mounted set of contacts away from its supporting member whereby said sets of contacts engage at about the insta-nt when the side of the cover most remote from the container come-s into the same plane as the edge of the container, and means automatically operative to interrupt closing movement of said cover before said sets of contacts engage, said last mentioned means being movable to permit com letioii of closing movement of said cover an( when the latter is in closed position cooperating therewith to lock the same closed.

41. In combination, a container, a cover therefor, contact means carried by said container, contact means carried by said cover, one of said means being yieldingly mounted on its supporting member and adapted to 3 Lames? move relatively thereto when engaged by the other means during closing movement of the cover, means for limiting the movement ofV said yieldingly mounted 'contact means away from its supporting member, and means always automatically operative to interrupt closing movement of said cover before said means engage each other.

42. In combination, a container, a cover therefor, contact means carried by said container, contact means carried by said cover, one of said means being yieldingly mounted on its supportin member and adapted to move relatlvely t ereto on engagement with the other of said means during closing movement of the cover, means for limiting the movement of said yieldingly mounted contact means away from its supporting member, and means always automatically operative to interrupt closing movement of said cover before said contact means engage each other, said last mentioned means being movable to rmit completion of closing movement of said cover and whenthe latter is in closed posit-ion cooperating therewith -iongiwdinsi recess andi ear-@Paw fusing macerie therein; andY mam what; by said holder is adapted ito limit the me4nt gf saidoontacts.' l40 5. use supporting'v means com holder contacts assoc atedthe'n'ewi` a, f 'K enclos le t `1` there'i' saidoontacts and *holder* o adap to beirelativetymovable and where said holder is'adaphedto con said re tive movemento'; said 46. Fuse supporting means compr support, aI plurality of contacts e; therewith, a fuse encl member i 5 fusible material therein, said contacts adapted to be relatively movable, and am whereby said memberfis adapted to cause Substantially uniform contacts."

i fait wip @mais een, 'ai

posed therein, and a frisemember1890"?m withE ssidfsuppm ma cima i therewith imc said 'ruir to engage' said spring'.V "l" 48. In combination, a su rt recess and yieldable means therein" is,

a portion projecting therefromi hav-i fa longitudinal recess, and a fuse m adapted to extend th h said latter reed@r and having'a contact disposed on the en thereof provided with means extendingintb said first mentioned recess. to en m yieldable means to operatively cont fllSB e L; 5, In testimony ywhereof `I allx my signi# ture. Y' :i

` CHARLES W. 

